Wireless Device Scheduling Request in a Wireless Network

ABSTRACT

A wireless device receives message(s) comprising configuration parameters of cells, a first IE for the primary PUCCH, a second IE indicating SR maximum number of transmissions, and an SR prohibit timer IE for an SR timer. The configuration parameters comprise: a primary cell with a PUCCH; and a PUCCH secondary cell with a secondary PUCCH. The first IE indicates the SR maximum number of transmissions. In response to an SR counter less than the SR maximum number of transmissions in a first SR subframe: the SR counter increments; a physical layer is instructed to signal an SR associated with an SR process on one valid PUCCH resource for the SR. The SR timer starts and is configured with an expiration duration value determined based on the SR prohibit timer IE regardless of which one of the primary PUCCH and the secondary PUCCH is employed for transmission of the SR.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/058,931,filed Mar. 2, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/130,552, filed Mar. 9, 2015, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/130,563, filed Mar. 9, 2015, which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of several of the various embodiments of the present inventionare described herein with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting example sets of OFDM subcarriers as per anaspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an example transmission time and receptiontime for two carriers in a carrier group as per an aspect of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting OFDM radio resources as per an aspect ofan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a base station and a wireless device as peran aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D are example diagrams for uplinkand downlink signal transmission as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram for a protocol structure with CA and DC asper an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram for a protocol structure with CA and DC asper an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows example TAG configurations as per an aspect of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an example message flow in a random access process in asecondary TAG as per an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is an example grouping of cells into PUCCH groups as per anaspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates example groupings of cells into one or more PUCCHgroups and one or more TAGs as per an aspect of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates example groupings of cells into one or more PUCCHgroups and one or more TAGs as per an aspect of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is an example MAC PDU as per an aspect of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is an example SR process as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 15 is an example UE-specific SR periodicity and subframe offsetconfiguration as per an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 17 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 18 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 19 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments of the present invention enable operation ofmultiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) groups. Embodiments ofthe technology disclosed herein may be employed in the technical fieldof multicarrier communication systems. More particularly, theembodiments of the technology disclosed herein may relate to operationof PUCCH groups.

The following Acronyms are used throughout the present disclosure:

ASIC application-specific integrated circuit BPSK binary phase shiftkeying CA carrier aggregation CSI channel state information CDMA codedivision multiple access CSS common search space CPLD complexprogrammable logic devices CC component carrier DL downlink DCI downlinkcontrol information DC dual connectivity EPC evolved packet core E-UTRANevolved-universal terrestrial radio access network FPGA fieldprogrammable gate arrays FDD frequency division multiplexing HDLhardware description languages HARQ hybrid automatic repeat request IEinformation element LTE long term evolution MCG master cell group MeNBmaster evolved node B MIB master information block MAC media accesscontrol MAC media access control MME mobility management entity NASnon-access stratum OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing PDCPpacket data convergence protocol PDU packet data unit PHY physical PDCCHphysical downlink control channel PHICH physical HARQ indicator channelPUCCH physical uplink control channel PUSCH physical uplink sharedchannel PCell primary cell PCell primary cell PCC primary componentcarrier PSCell primary secondary cell pTAG primary timing advance groupQAM quadrature amplitude modulation QPSK quadrature phase shift keyingRBG Resource Block Groups RLC radio link control RRC radio resourcecontrol RA random access RB resource blocks SCC secondary componentcarrier SCell secondary cell Scell secondary cells SCG secondary cellgroup SeNB secondary evolved node B sTAGs secondary timing advance groupSDU service data unit S-GW serving gateway SRB signaling radio bearerSC-OFDM single carrier-OFDM SFN system frame number SIB systeminformation block TAI tracking area identifier TAT time alignment timerTDD time division duplexing TDMA time division multiple access TA timingadvance TAG timing advance group TB transport block UL uplink UE userequipment VHDL VHSIC hardware description language

Example embodiments of the invention may be implemented using variousphysical layer modulation and transmission mechanisms. Exampletransmission mechanisms may include, but are not limited to: CDMA, OFDM,TDMA, Wavelet technologies, and/or the like. Hybrid transmissionmechanisms such as TDMA/CDMA, and OFDM/CDMA may also be employed.Various modulation schemes may be applied for signal transmission in thephysical layer. Examples of modulation schemes include, but are notlimited to: phase, amplitude, code, a combination of these, and/or thelike. An example radio transmission method may implement QAM using BPSK,QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 256-QAM, and/or the like. Physical radiotransmission may be enhanced by dynamically or semi-dynamically changingthe modulation and coding scheme depending on transmission requirementsand radio conditions.

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting example sets of OFDM subcarriers as per anaspect of an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in thisexample, arrow(s) in the diagram may depict a subcarrier in amulticarrier OFDM system. The OFDM system may use technology such asOFDM technology, SC-OFDM technology, or the like. For example, arrow 101shows a subcarrier transmitting information symbols. FIG. 1 is forillustration purposes, and a typical multicarrier OFDM system mayinclude more subcarriers in a carrier. For example, the number ofsubcarriers in a carrier may be in the range of 10 to 10,000subcarriers. FIG. 1 shows two guard bands 106 and 107 in a transmissionband. As illustrated in FIG. 1, guard band 106 is between subcarriers103 and subcarriers 104. The example set of subcarriers A 102 includessubcarriers 103 and subcarriers 104. FIG. 1 also illustrates an exampleset of subcarriers B 105. As illustrated, there is no guard band betweenany two subcarriers in the example set of subcarriers B 105. Carriers ina multicarrier OFDM communication system may be contiguous carriers,non-contiguous carriers, or a combination of both contiguous andnon-contiguous carriers.

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an example transmission time and receptiontime for two carriers as per an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention. A multicarrier OFDM communication system may include one ormore carriers, for example, ranging from 1 to 10 carriers. Carrier A 204and carrier B 205 may have the same or different timing structures.Although FIG. 2 shows two synchronized carriers, carrier A 204 andcarrier B 205 may or may not be synchronized with each other. Differentradio frame structures may be supported for FDD and TDD duplexmechanisms. FIG. 2 shows an example FDD frame timing. Downlink anduplink transmissions may be organized into radio frames 201. In thisexample, radio frame duration is 10 msec. Other frame durations, forexample, in the range of 1 to 100 msec may also be supported. In thisexample, each 10 ms radio frame 201 may be divided into ten equallysized subframes 202. Other subframe durations such as including 0.5msec, 1 msec, 2 msec, and 5 msec may also be supported. Subframe(s) mayconsist of two or more slots (e.g. slots 206 and 207). For the exampleof FDD, 10 subframes may be available for downlink transmission and 10subframes may be available for uplink transmissions in each 10 msinterval. Uplink and downlink transmissions may be separated in thefrequency domain. Slot(s) may include a plurality of OFDM symbols 203.The number of OFDM symbols 203 in a slot 206 may depend on the cyclicprefix length and subcarrier spacing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting OFDM radio resources as per an aspect ofan embodiment of the present invention. The resource grid structure intime 304 and frequency 305 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The quantity ofdownlink subcarriers or RBs (in this example 6 to 100 RBs) may depend,at least in part, on the downlink transmission bandwidth 306 configuredin the cell. The smallest radio resource unit may be called a resourceelement (e.g. 301). Resource elements may be grouped into resourceblocks (e.g. 302). Resource blocks may be grouped into larger radioresources called Resource Block Groups (RBG) (e.g. 303). The transmittedsignal in slot 206 may be described by one or several resource grids ofa plurality of subcarriers and a plurality of OFDM symbols. Resourceblocks may be used to describe the mapping of certain physical channelsto resource elements. Other pre-defined groupings of physical resourceelements may be implemented in the system depending on the radiotechnology. For example, 24 subcarriers may be grouped as a radio blockfor a duration of 5 msec. In an illustrative example, a resource blockmay correspond to one slot in the time domain and 180 kHz in thefrequency domain (for 15 KHz subcarrier bandwidth and 12 subcarriers).

FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D are example diagrams for uplinkand downlink signal transmission as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 5A shows an example uplink physical channel.The baseband signal representing the physical uplink shared channel mayperform the following processes. These functions are illustrated asexamples and it is anticipated that other mechanisms may be implementedin various embodiments. The functions may comprise scrambling,modulation of scrambled bits to generate complex-valued symbols, mappingof the complex-valued modulation symbols onto one or severaltransmission layers, transform precoding to generate complex-valuedsymbols, precoding of the complex-valued symbols, mapping of precodedcomplex-valued symbols to resource elements, generation ofcomplex-valued time-domain SC-FDMA signal for each antenna port, and/orthe like.

Example modulation and up-conversion to the carrier frequency of thecomplex-valued SC-FDMA baseband signal for each antenna port and/or thecomplex-valued PRACH baseband signal is shown in FIG. 5B. Filtering maybe employed prior to transmission.

An example structure for Downlink Transmissions is shown in FIG. 5C. Thebaseband signal representing a downlink physical channel may perform thefollowing processes. These functions are illustrated as examples and itis anticipated that other mechanisms may be implemented in variousembodiments. The functions include scrambling of coded bits in each ofthe codewords to be transmitted on a physical channel; modulation ofscrambled bits to generate complex-valued modulation symbols; mapping ofthe complex-valued modulation symbols onto one or several transmissionlayers; precoding of the complex-valued modulation symbols on each layerfor transmission on the antenna ports; mapping of complex-valuedmodulation symbols for each antenna port to resource elements;generation of complex-valued time-domain OFDM signal for each antennaport, and/or the like.

Example modulation and up-conversion to the carrier frequency of thecomplex-valued OFDM baseband signal for each antenna port is shown inFIG. 5D. Filtering may be employed prior to transmission.

FIG. 4 is an example block diagram of a base station 401 and a wirelessdevice 406, as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.A communication network 400 may include at least one base station 401and at least one wireless device 406. The base station 401 may includeat least one communication interface 402, at least one processor 403,and at least one set of program code instructions 405 stored innon-transitory memory 404 and executable by the at least one processor403. The wireless device 406 may include at least one communicationinterface 407, at least one processor 408, and at least one set ofprogram code instructions 410 stored in non-transitory memory 409 andexecutable by the at least one processor 408. Communication interface402 in base station 401 may be configured to engage in communicationwith communication interface 407 in wireless device 406 via acommunication path that includes at least one wireless link 411.Wireless link 411 may be a bi-directional link. Communication interface407 in wireless device 406 may also be configured to engage in acommunication with communication interface 402 in base station 401. Basestation 401 and wireless device 406 may be configured to send andreceive data over wireless link 411 using multiple frequency carriers.According to some of the various aspects of embodiments, transceiver(s)may be employed. A transceiver is a device that includes both atransmitter and receiver. Transceivers may be employed in devices suchas wireless devices, base stations, relay nodes, and/or the like.Example embodiments for radio technology implemented in communicationinterface 402, 407 and wireless link 411 are illustrated are FIG. 1,FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and associated text.

An interface may be a hardware interface, a firmware interface, asoftware interface, and/or a combination thereof. The hardware interfacemay include connectors, wires, electronic devices such as drivers,amplifiers, and/or the like. A software interface may include codestored in a memory device to implement protocol(s), protocol layers,communication drivers, device drivers, combinations thereof, and/or thelike. A firmware interface may include a combination of embeddedhardware and code stored in and/or in communication with a memory deviceto implement connections, electronic device operations, protocol(s),protocol layers, communication drivers, device drivers, hardwareoperations, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

The term configured may relate to the capacity of a device whether thedevice is in an operational or non-operational state. Configured mayalso refer to specific settings in a device that effect the operationalcharacteristics of the device whether the device is in an operational ornon-operational state. In other words, the hardware, software, firmware,registers, memory values, and/or the like may be “configured” within adevice, whether the device is in an operational or nonoperational state,to provide the device with specific characteristics. Terms such as “acontrol message to cause in a device” may mean that a control messagehas parameters that may be used to configure specific characteristics inthe device, whether the device is in an operational or non-operationalstate.

According to some of the various aspects of embodiments, an LTE networkmay include a multitude of base stations, providing a user planePDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towardsthe wireless device. The base station(s) may be interconnected withother base station(s) (e.g. employing an X2 interface). The basestations may also be connected employing, for example, an S1 interfaceto an EPC. For example, the base stations may be interconnected to theMME employing the S1-MME interface and to the S-G) employing the S1-Uinterface. The S1 interface may support a many-to-many relation betweenMMEs/Serving Gateways and base stations. A base station may include manysectors for example: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 sectors. A base station mayinclude many cells, for example, ranging from 1 to 50 cells or more. Acell may be categorized, for example, as a primary cell or secondarycell. At RRC connection establishment/re-establishment/handover, oneserving cell may provide the NAS (non-access stratum) mobilityinformation (e.g. TAI), and at RRC connection re-establishment/handover,one serving cell may provide the security input. This cell may bereferred to as the Primary Cell (PCell). In the downlink, the carriercorresponding to the PCell may be the Downlink Primary Component Carrier(DL PCC), while in the uplink, it may be the Uplink Primary ComponentCarrier (UL PCC). Depending on wireless device capabilities, SecondaryCells (SCells) may be configured to form together with the PCell a setof serving cells. In the downlink, the carrier corresponding to an SCellmay be a Downlink Secondary Component Carrier (DL SCC), while in theuplink, it may be an Uplink Secondary Component Carrier (UL SCC). AnSCell may or may not have an uplink carrier.

A cell, comprising a downlink carrier and optionally an uplink carrier,may be assigned a physical cell ID and a cell index. A carrier (downlinkor uplink) may belong to only one cell. The cell ID or Cell index mayalso identify the downlink carrier or uplink carrier of the cell(depending on the context it is used). In the specification, cell ID maybe equally referred to a carrier ID, and cell index may be referred tocarrier index. In implementation, the physical cell ID or cell index maybe assigned to a cell. A cell ID may be determined using asynchronization signal transmitted on a downlink carrier. A cell indexmay be determined using RRC messages. For example, when thespecification refers to a first physical cell ID for a first downlinkcarrier, the specification may mean the first physical cell ID is for acell comprising the first downlink carrier. The same concept may applyto, for example, carrier activation. When the specification indicatesthat a first carrier is activated, the specification may equally meanthat the cell comprising the first carrier is activated.

Embodiments may be configured to operate as needed. The disclosedmechanism may be performed when certain criteria are met, for example,in a wireless device, a base station, a radio environment, a network, acombination of the above, and/or the like. Example criteria may bebased, at least in part, on for example, traffic load, initial systemset up, packet sizes, traffic characteristics, a combination of theabove, and/or the like. When the one or more criteria are met, variousexample embodiments may be applied. Therefore, it may be possible toimplement example embodiments that selectively implement disclosedprotocols.

A base station may communicate with a mix of wireless devices. Wirelessdevices may support multiple technologies, and/or multiple releases ofthe same technology. Wireless devices may have some specificcapability(ies) depending on its wireless device category and/orcapability(ies). A base station may comprise multiple sectors. When thisdisclosure refers to a base station communicating with a plurality ofwireless devices, this disclosure may refer to a subset of the totalwireless devices in a coverage area. This disclosure may refer to, forexample, a plurality of wireless devices of a given LTE release with agiven capability and in a given sector of the base station. Theplurality of wireless devices in this disclosure may refer to a selectedplurality of wireless devices, and/or a subset of total wireless devicesin a coverage area which perform according to disclosed methods, and/orthe like. There may be a plurality of wireless devices in a coveragearea that may not comply with the disclosed methods, for example,because those wireless devices perform based on older releases of LTEtechnology.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are example diagrams for protocol structure with CAand DC as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.E-UTRAN may support Dual Connectivity (DC) operation whereby a multipleRX/TX UE in RRC_CONNECTED may be configured to utilize radio resourcesprovided by two schedulers located in two eNBs connected via a non-idealbackhaul over the X2 interface. eNBs involved in DC for a certain UE mayassume two different roles: an eNB may either act as an MeNB or as anSeNB. In DC a UE may be connected to one MeNB and one SeNB. Mechanismsimplemented in DC may be extended to cover more than two eNBs. FIG. 7illustrates one example structure for the UE side MAC entities when aMaster Cell Group (MCG) and a Secondary Cell Group (SCG) are configured,and it may not restrict implementation. Media Broadcast MulticastService (MBMS) reception is not shown in this figure for simplicity.

In DC, the radio protocol architecture that a particular bearer uses maydepend on how the bearer is setup. Three alternatives may exist, an MCGbearer, an SCG bearer and a split bearer as shown in FIG. 6. RRC may belocated in MeNB and SRBs may be configured as a MCG bearer type and mayuse the radio resources of the MeNB. DC may also be described as havingat least one bearer configured to use radio resources provided by theSeNB. DC may or may not be configured/implemented in example embodimentsof the invention.

In the case of DC, the UE may be configured with two MAC entities: oneMAC entity for MeNB, and one MAC entity for SeNB. In DC, the configuredset of serving cells for a UE may comprise of two subsets: the MasterCell Group (MCG) containing the serving cells of the MeNB, and theSecondary Cell Group (SCG) containing the serving cells of the SeNB. Fora SCG, one or more of the following may be applied: at least one cell inthe SCG has a configured UL CC and one of them, named PSCell (or PCellof SCG, or sometimes called PCell), is configured with PUCCH resources;when the SCG is configured, there may be at least one SCG bearer or oneSplit bearer; upon detection of a physical layer problem or a randomaccess problem on a PSCell, or the maximum number of RLC retransmissionshas been reached associated with the SCG, or upon detection of an accessproblem on a PSCell during a SCG addition or a SCG change: a RRCconnection re-establishment procedure may not be triggered, ULtransmissions towards cells of the SCG are stopped, a MeNB may beinformed by the UE of a SCG failure type, for split bearer, the DL datatransfer over the MeNB is maintained; the RLC AM bearer may beconfigured for the split bearer; like PCell, PSCell may not bede-activated; PSCell may be changed with a SCG change (e.g. withsecurity key change and a RACH procedure); and/or neither a directbearer type change between a Split bearer and a SCG bearer norsimultaneous configuration of a SCG and a Split bearer are supported.

With respect to the interaction between a MeNB and a SeNB, one or moreof the following principles may be applied: the MeNB may maintain theRRM measurement configuration of the UE and may, (e.g., based onreceived measurement reports or traffic conditions or bearer types),decide to ask a SeNB to provide additional resources (serving cells) fora UE; upon receiving a request from the MeNB, a SeNB may create acontainer that may result in the configuration of additional servingcells for the UE (or decide that it has no resource available to do so);for UE capability coordination, the MeNB may provide (part of) the ASconfiguration and the UE capabilities to the SeNB; the MeNB and the SeNBmay exchange information about a UE configuration by employing of RRCcontainers (inter-node messages) carried in X2 messages; the SeNB mayinitiate a reconfiguration of its existing serving cells (e.g., PUCCHtowards the SeNB); the SeNB may decide which cell is the PSCell withinthe SCG; the MeNB may not change the content of the RRC configurationprovided by the SeNB; in the case of a SCG addition and a SCG SCelladdition, the MeNB may provide the latest measurement results for theSCG cell(s); both a MeNB and a SeNB may know the SFN and subframe offsetof each other by OAM, (e.g., for the purpose of DRX alignment andidentification of a measurement gap). In an example, when adding a newSCG SCell, dedicated RRC signalling may be used for sending requiredsystem information of the cell as for CA, except for the SFN acquiredfrom a MIB of the PSCell of a SCG.

According to some of the various aspects of embodiments, serving cellshaving an uplink to which the same time alignment (TA) applies may begrouped in a TA group (TAG). Serving cells in one TAG may use the sametiming reference. For a given TAG, user equipment (UE) may use onedownlink carrier as a timing reference at a given time. The UE may use adownlink carrier in a TAG as a timing reference for that TAG. For agiven TAG, a UE may synchronize uplink subframe and frame transmissiontiming of uplink carriers belonging to the same TAG. According to someof the various aspects of embodiments, serving cells having an uplink towhich the same TA applies may correspond to serving cells hosted by thesame receiver. A TA group may comprise at least one serving cell with aconfigured uplink. A UE supporting multiple TAs may support two or moreTA groups. One TA group may contain the PCell and may be called aprimary TAG (pTAG). In a multiple TAG configuration, at least one TAgroup may not contain the PCell and may be called a secondary TAG(sTAG). Carriers within the same TA group may use the same TA value andthe same timing reference. When DC is configured, cells belonging to acell group (MCG or SCG) may be grouped into multiple TAGs including apTAG and one or more sTAGs.

FIG. 8 shows example TAG configurations as per an aspect of anembodiment of the present invention. In Example 1, pTAG comprises PCell,and an sTAG comprises SCell1. In Example 2, a pTAG comprises a PCell andSCell1, and an sTAG comprises SCell2 and SCell3. In Example 3, pTAGcomprises PCell and SCell1, and an sTAG1 includes SCell2 and SCell3, andsTAG2 comprises SCell4. Up to four TAGs may be supported in a cell group(MCG or SCG) and other example TAG configurations may also be provided.In various examples in this disclosure, example mechanisms are describedfor a pTAG and an sTAG. The operation with one example sTAG isdescribed, and the same operation may be applicable to other sTAGs. Theexample mechanisms may be applied to configurations with multiple sTAGs.

According to some of the various aspects of embodiments, TA maintenance,pathloss reference handling and a timing reference for a pTAG may followLTE release 10 principles in the MCG and/or SCG. The UE may need tomeasure downlink pathloss to calculate uplink transmit power. A pathlossreference may be used for uplink power control and/or transmission ofrandom access preamble(s). UE may measure downlink pathloss usingsignals received on a pathloss reference cell. For SCell(s) in a pTAG,the choice of a pathloss reference for cells may be selected from and/orbe limited to the following two options: a) the downlink SCell linked toan uplink SCell using system information block 2 (SIB2), and b) thedownlink pCell. The pathloss reference for SCells in a pTAG may beconfigurable using RRC message(s) as a part of an SCell initialconfiguration and/or reconfiguration. According to some of the variousaspects of embodiments, a PhysicalConfigDedicatedSCell informationelement (IE) of an SCell configuration may include a pathloss referenceSCell (downlink carrier) for an SCell in a pTAG. The downlink SCelllinked to an uplink SCell using system information block 2 (SIB2) may bereferred to as the SIB2 linked downlink of the SCell. Different TAGs mayoperate in different bands. For an uplink carrier in an sTAG, thepathloss reference may be only configurable to the downlink SCell linkedto an uplink SCell using the system information block 2 (SIB2) of theSCell.

To obtain initial uplink (UL) time alignment for an sTAG, an eNB mayinitiate an RA procedure. In an sTAG, a UE may use one of any activatedSCells from this sTAG as a timing reference cell. In an exampleembodiment, the timing reference for SCells in an sTAG may be the SIB2linked downlink of the SCell on which the preamble for the latest RAprocedure was sent. There may be one timing reference and one timealignment timer (TAT) per TA group. A TAT for TAGs may be configuredwith different values. In a MAC entity, when a TAT associated with apTAG expires: all TATs may be considered as expired, the UE may flushHARQ buffers of serving cells, the UE may clear any configured downlinkassignment/uplink grants, and the RRC in the UE may release PUCCH/SRSfor all configured serving cells. When the pTAG TAT is not running, ansTAG TAT may not be running. When the TAT associated with an sTAGexpires: a) SRS transmissions may be stopped on the correspondingSCells, b) SRS RRC configuration may be released, c) CSI reportingconfiguration for corresponding SCells may be maintained, and/or d) theMAC in the UE may flush the uplink HARQ buffers of the correspondingSCells.

An eNB may initiate an RA procedure via a PDCCH order for an activatedSCell. This PDCCH order may be sent on a scheduling cell of this SCell.When cross carrier scheduling is configured for a cell, the schedulingcell may be different than the cell that is employed for preambletransmission, and the PDCCH order may include an SCell index. At least anon-contention based RA procedure may be supported for SCell(s) assignedto sTAG(s).

FIG. 9 is an example message flow in a random access process in asecondary TAG as per an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention. An eNB transmits an activation command 600 to activate anSCell. A preamble 602 (Msg1) may be sent by a UE in response to a PDCCHorder 601 on an SCell belonging to an sTAG. In an example embodiment,preamble transmission for SCells may be controlled by the network usingPDCCH format 1A. Msg2 message 603 (RAR: random access response) inresponse to the preamble transmission on the SCell may be addressed toRA-RNTI in a PCell common search space (CSS). Uplink packets 604 may betransmitted on the SCell in which the preamble was transmitted.

According to some of the various aspects of embodiments, initial timingalignment may be achieved through a random access procedure. This mayinvolve a UE transmitting a random access preamble and an eNB respondingwith an initial TA command NTA (amount of timing advance) within arandom access response window. The start of the random access preamblemay be aligned with the start of a corresponding uplink subframe at theUE assuming NTA=0. The eNB may estimate the uplink timing from therandom access preamble transmitted by the UE. The TA command may bederived by the eNB based on the estimation of the difference between thedesired UL timing and the actual UL timing. The UE may determine theinitial uplink transmission timing relative to the correspondingdownlink of the sTAG on which the preamble is transmitted.

The mapping of a serving cell to a TAG may be configured by a servingeNB with RRC signaling. The mechanism for TAG configuration andreconfiguration may be based on RRC signaling. According to some of thevarious aspects of embodiments, when an eNB performs an SCell additionconfiguration, the related TAG configuration may be configured for theSCell. In an example embodiment, an eNB may modify the TAG configurationof an SCell by removing (releasing) the SCell and adding (configuring) anew SCell (with the same physical cell ID and frequency) with an updatedTAG ID. The new SCell with the updated TAG ID may initially be inactivesubsequent to being assigned the updated TAG ID. The eNB may activatethe updated new SCell and start scheduling packets on the activatedSCell. In an example implementation, it may not be possible to changethe TAG associated with an SCell, but rather, the SCell may need to beremoved and a new SCell may need to be added with another TAG. Forexample, if there is a need to move an SCell from an sTAG to a pTAG, atleast one RRC message, for example, at least one RRC reconfigurationmessage, may be send to the UE to reconfigure TAG configurations byreleasing the SCell and then configuring the SCell as a part of the pTAG(when an SCell is added/configured without a TAG index, the SCell may beexplicitly assigned to the pTAG). The PCell may not change its TA groupand may always be a member of the pTAG.

The purpose of an RRC connection reconfiguration procedure may be tomodify an RRC connection, (e.g. to establish, modify and/or release RBs,to perform handover, to setup, modify, and/or release measurements, toadd, modify, and/or release SCells). If the received RRC ConnectionReconfiguration message includes the sCellToReleaseList, the UE mayperform an SCell release. If the received RRC Connection Reconfigurationmessage includes the sCellToAddModList, the UE may perform SCelladditions or modification.

In LTE Release-10 and Release-11 CA, a PUCCH is only transmitted on thePCell (PSCell) to an eNB. In LTE-Release 12 and earlier, a UE maytransmit PUCCH information on one cell (PCell or PSCell) to a given eNB.

As the number of CA capable UEs and also the number of aggregatedcarriers increase, the number of PUCCHs and also the PUCCH payload sizemay increase. Accommodating the PUCCH transmissions on the PCell maylead to a high PUCCH load on the PCell. A PUCCH on an SCell may beintroduced to offload the PUCCH resource from the PCell. More than onePUCCH may be configured for example, a PUCCH on a PCell and anotherPUCCH on an SCell. FIG. 10 is an example grouping of cells into PUCCHgroups as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention. Inthe example embodiments, one, two or more cells may be configured withPUCCH resources for transmitting CSI/ACK/NACK to a base station. Cellsmay be grouped into multiple PUCCH groups, and one or more cell within agroup may be configured with a PUCCH. In an example configuration, oneSCell may belong to one PUCCH group. SCells with a configured PUCCHtransmitted to a base station may be called a PUCCH SCell, and a cellgroup with a common PUCCH resource transmitted to the same base stationmay be called a PUCCH group.

In Release-12, a PUCCH can be configured on a PCell and/or a PSCell, butcannot be configured on other SCells. In an example embodiment, a UE maytransmit a message indicating that the UE supports PUCCH configurationon a PCell and SCell. Such an indication may be separate from anindication of dual connectivity support by the UE. In an exampleembodiment, a UE may support both DC and PUCCH groups. In an exampleembodiment, either DC or PUCCH groups may be configured, but not both.In another example embodiment, more complicated configurationscomprising both DC and PUCCH groups may be supported.

When a UE is capable of configuring PUCCH groups, and if a UE indicatesthat it supports simultaneous PUCCH/PUSCH transmission capability, itmay imply that the UE supports simultaneous PUCCH/PUSCH transmission onboth PCell and SCell. When multiple PUCCH groups are configured, a PUCCHmay be configured or not configured with simultaneous PUCCH/PUSCHtransmission.

In an example embodiment, PUCCH transmission to a base station on twoserving cells may be realized as shown in FIG. 10. A first group ofcells may employ a PUCCH on the PCell and may be called PUCCH group 1 ora primary PUCCH group. A second group of cells may employ a PUCCH on anSCell and may be called PUCCH group 2 or a secondary PUCCH group. One,two or more PUCCH groups may be configured. In an example, cells may begrouped into two PUCCH groups, and each PUCCH group may include a cellwith PUCCH resources. A PCell may provide PUCCH resources for theprimary PUCCH group and an SCell in the secondary PUCCH group mayprovide PUCCH resources for the cells in the secondary PUCCH group. Inan example embodiment, no cross-carrier scheduling between cells indifferent PUCCH groups may be configured. When cross-carrier schedulingbetween cells in different PUCCH groups is not configured, ACK/NACK onPHICH channel may be limited within a PUCCH group. Both downlink anduplink scheduling activity may be separate between cells belonging todifferent PUCCH groups.

A PUCCH on an SCell may carry HARQ-ACK and CSI information. A PCell maybe configured with PUCCH resources. In an example embodiment, RRCparameters for an SCell PUCCH Power Control for a PUCCH on an SCell maybe different from those of a PCell PUCCH. A Transmit Power Controlcommand for a PUCCH on an SCell may be transmitted in DCI(s) on theSCell carrying the PUCCH.

UE procedures on a PUCCH transmission may be different and/orindependent between PUCCH groups. For example, determination of DLHARQ-ACK timing, PUCCH resource determination for HARQ-ACK and/or CSI,Higher-layer configuration of simultaneous HARQ-ACK+CSI on a PUCCH,Higher-layer configuration of simultaneous HARQ-ACK+SRS in one subframemay be configured differently for a PUCCH PCell and a PUCCH SCell.

A PUCCH group may be a group of serving cells configured by a RRC anduse the same serving cell in the group for transmission of a PUCCH. APrimary PUCCH group may be a PUCCH group containing a PCell. A secondaryPUCCH group may be a PUCCH cell group not containing the PCell. In anexample embodiment, an SCell may belong to one PUCCH group. When oneSCell belongs to a PUCCH group, ACK/NACK or CSI for that SCell may betransmitted over the PUCCH in that PUCCH group (over PUCCH SCell orPUCCH PCell). A PUCCH on an SCell may reduce the PUCCH load on thePCell. A PUCCH SCell may be employed for UCI transmission of SCells inthe corresponding PUCCH group.

In an example embodiment, a flexible PUCCH configuration in whichcontrol signalling is sent on one, two or more PUCCHs may be possible.Beside the PCell, it may be possible to configure a selected number ofSCells for PUCCH transmission (herein called PUCCH SCells). Controlsignalling information conveyed in a certain PUCCH SCell may be relatedto a set of SCells in a corresponding PUCCH group that are configured bythe network via RRC signalling.

PUCCH control signalling carried by a PUCCH channel may be distributedbetween a PCell and SCells for off-loading or robustness purposes. Byenabling a PUCCH in an SCell, it may be possible to distribute theoverall CSI reports for a given UE between a PCell and a selected numberof SCells (e.g. PUCCH SCells), thereby limiting PUCCH CSI resourceconsumption by a given UE on a certain cell. It may be possible to mapCSI reports for a certain SCell to a selected PUCCH SCell. An SCell maybe assigned a certain periodicity and time-offset for transmission ofcontrol information. Periodic CSI for a serving cell may be mapped on aPUCCH (on the PCell or on a PUCCH-SCell) via RRC signalling. Thepossibility of distributing CSI reports, HARQ feedbacks, and/orScheduling Requests across PUCCH SCells may provide flexibility andcapacity improvements. HARQ feedback for a serving cell may be mapped ona PUCCH (on the PCell or on a PUCCH SCell) via RRC signalling.

In example embodiments, PUCCH transmission may be configured on a PCell,as well as one SCell in CA. An SCell PUCCH may be realized using theconcept of PUCCH groups, where aggregated cells are grouped into two ormore PUCCH groups. One cell from a PUCCH group may be configured tocarry a PUCCH. More than 5 carriers may be configured. In the exampleembodiments, up to n carriers may be aggregated. For example, n may be16, 32, or 64. Some CCs may have non-backward compatible configurationssupporting only advanced UEs (e.g. support licensed assisted accessSCells). In an example embodiment, one SCell PUCCH (e.g. two PUCCHgroups) may be supported. In another example embodiment, a PUCCH groupconcept with multiple (more than one) SCells carrying PUCCH may beemployed (e.g., there can be more than two PUCCH groups).

In an example embodiment, a given PUCCH group may not comprise servingcells of both MCG and SCG. One of the PUCCHs may be configured on thePCell. In an example embodiment, PUCCH mapping of serving cells may beconfigured by RRC messages. In an example embodiment, a maximum value ofan SCellIndex and a ServCellIndex may be 31 (ranging from 0 to 31). Inan example, a maximum value of stag-Id may be 3. The CIF for a scheduledcell may be configured explicitly. A PUCCH SCell may be configured bygiving a PUCCH configuration for an SCell. A HARQ feedback and CSIreport of a PUCCH SCell may be sent on the PUCCH of that PUCCH SCell.The HARQ feedback and CSI report of a SCell may sent on a PUCCH of aPCell if no PUCCH SCell is signalled for that SCell. The HARQ feedbackand CSI report of an SCell may be sent on the PUCCH of one PUCCH SCell;hence they may not be sent on the PUCCH of different PUCCH SCell. The UEmay report a Type 2 PH for serving cells configured with a PUCCH. In anexample embodiment, a MAC activation/deactivation may be supported for aPUCCH SCell. An eNB may manage the activation/deactivation status forSCells. A newly added PUCCH SCell may be initially deactivated.

In an example embodiment, independent configuration of PUCCH groups andTAGs may be supported. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show example configurationsof TAGs and PUCCH groups. For example, one TAG may contain multipleserving cells with a PUCCH. For example, each TAG may only comprisecells of one PUCCH group. For example, a TAG may comprise the servingcells (without a PUCCH) which belong to different PUCCH groups.

There may not be a one-to-one mapping between TAGs and PUCCH groups. Forexample, in a configuration, a PUCCH SCell may belong to primary TAG. Inan example implementation, the serving cells of one PUCCH group may bein different TAGs and serving cells of one TAG may be in different PUCCHgroups. Configuration of PUCCH groups and TAGs may be left to eNBimplementation. In another example implementation, restriction(s) on theconfiguration of a PUCCH cell may be specified. For example, in anexample embodiment, cells in a given PUCCH group may belong to the sameTAG. In an example, an sTAG may only comprise cells of one PUCCH group.In an example, one-to-one mapping between TAGs and PUCCH groups may beimplemented. In implementation, cell configurations may be limited tosome of the examples. In other implementations, some or all the belowconfigurations may be allowed.

In an example embodiment, for an SCell in a pTAG, the timing referencemay be a PCell. For an SCell in an sTAG, the timing reference may be anyactivated SCell in the sTAG. For an SCell (configured with PUCCH or not)in a pTAG, a pathloss reference may be configured to be a PCell or anSIB-2 linked SCell. For an SCell in a sTAG, the pathloss reference maybe the SIB-2 linked SCell. When a TAT associated with a pTAG is expired,the TAT associated with sTAGs may be considered as expired. When a TATof an sTAG containing PUCCH SCell expires, the MAC may indicate to anRRC to release PUCCH resource for the PUCCH group. When the TAT of ansTAG containing a PUCCH SCell is not running, the uplink transmission(PUSCH) for SCells in the secondary PUCCH group not belonging to thesTAG including the PUCCH SCell may not be impacted. The TAT expiry of ansTAG containing a PUCCH SCell may not trigger TAT expiry of other TAGsto which other SCells in the same PUCCH group belong. When the TATassociated with sTAG not containing a PUCCH SCell is not running, thewireless device may stop the uplink transmission for the SCell in thesTAG and may not impact other TAGs.

In an example embodiment, a MAC entity may have a configurable timertimeAlignmentTimer per TAG. The timeAlignmentTimer may be used tocontrol how long the MAC entity considers the Serving Cells belonging tothe associated TAG to be uplink time aligned. The MAC entity may, when aTiming Advance Command MAC control element is received, apply the TimingAdvance Command for the indicated TAG; start or restart thetimeAlignmentTimer associated with the indicated TAG. The MAC entitymay, when a Timing Advance Command is received in a Random AccessResponse message for a serving cell belonging to a TAG and/or if theRandom Access Preamble was not selected by the MAC entity, apply theTiming Advance Command for this TAG and start or restart thetimeAlignmentTimer associated with this TAG. Otherwise, if thetimeAlignmentTimer associated with this TAG is not running, the TimingAdvance Command for this TAG may be applied and the timeAlignmentTimerassociated with this TAG started. When the contention resolution isconsidered not successful, a timeAlignmentTimer associated with this TAGmay be stopped. Otherwise, the MAC entity may ignore the received TimingAdvance Command.

Example embodiments of the invention may enable operation of multiplePUCCH groups. Other example embodiments may comprise a non-transitorytangible computer readable media comprising instructions executable byone or more processors to cause operation of PUCCH groups. Yet otherexample embodiments may comprise an article of manufacture thatcomprises a non-transitory tangible computer readable machine-accessiblemedium having instructions encoded thereon for enabling programmablehardware to cause a device (e.g. wireless communicator, UE, basestation, etc.) to enable operation of PUCCH groups. The device mayinclude processors, memory, interfaces, and/or the like. Other exampleembodiments may comprise communication networks comprising devices suchas base stations, wireless devices (or user equipment: UE), servers,switches, antennas, and/or the like. In an example embodiment one ormore TAGs may be configured along with PUCCH group configuration.

FIG. 13 is an example MAC PDU as per an aspect of an embodiment of thepresent invention. In an example embodiment, a MAC PDU may comprise of aMAC header, zero or more MAC Service Data Units (MAC SDU), zero or moreMAC control elements, and optionally padding. The MAC header and the MACSDUs may be of variable sizes. A MAC PDU header may comprise one or moreMAC PDU subheaders. A subheader may correspond to either a MAC SDU, aMAC control element or padding. A MAC PDU subheader may comprise headerfields R, F2, E, LCID, F, and/or L. The last subheader in the MAC PDUand subheaders for fixed sized MAC control elements may comprise thefour header fields R, F2, E, and/or LCID. A MAC PDU subheadercorresponding to padding may comprise the four header fields R, F2, E,and/or LCID.

In an example embodiment, LCID or Logical Channel ID field may identifythe logical channel instance of the corresponding MAC SDU or the type ofthe corresponding MAC control element or padding. There may be one LCIDfield for a MAC SDU, MAC control element or padding included in the MACPDU. In addition to that, one or two additional LCID fields may beincluded in the MAC PDU when single-byte or two-byte padding is requiredbut cannot be achieved by padding at the end of the MAC PDU. The LCIDfield size may be, e.g. 5 bits. L or the Length field may indicate thelength of the corresponding MAC SDU or variable-sized MAC controlelement in bytes. There may be one L field per MAC PDU subheader exceptfor the last subheader and subheaders corresponding to fixed-sized MACcontrol elements. The size of the L field may be indicated by the Ffield and F2 field. The F or the Format field may indicate the size ofthe Length field. There may be one F field per MAC PDU subheader exceptfor the last subheader and subheaders corresponding to fixed-sized MACcontrol elements and expect for when F2 is set to 1. The size of the Ffield may be 1 bit. In an example, if the F field is included, and/or ifthe size of the MAC SDU or variable-sized MAC control element is lessthan 128 bytes, the value of the F field is set to 0, otherwise it isset to 1. The F2 or the Format2 field may indicate the size of theLength field. There may be one F2 field per MAC PDU subheader. The sizeof the F2 field may be 1 bit. In an example, if the size of the MAC SDUor variable-sized MAC control element is larger than 32767 bytes and ifthe corresponding subheader is not the last subheader, the value of theF2 field may be set to 1, otherwise it is set to 0. The E or theExtension field may be a flag indicating if more fields are present inthe MAC header or not. The E field may be set to “1” to indicate anotherset of at least R/F2/E/LCID fields. The E field may be set to “0” toindicate that either a MAC SDU, a MAC control element or padding startsat the next byte. R or reserved bit, set to “0”.

MAC PDU subheaders may have the same order as the corresponding MACSDUs, MAC control elements and padding. MAC control elements may beplaced before any MAC SDU. Padding may occur at the end of the MAC PDU,except when single-byte or two-byte padding is required. Padding mayhave any value and the MAC entity may ignore it. When padding isperformed at the end of the MAC PDU, zero or more padding bytes may beallowed. When single-byte or two-byte padding is required, one or twoMAC PDU subheaders corresponding to padding may be placed at thebeginning of the MAC PDU before any other MAC PDU subheader. In anexample, a maximum of one MAC PDU may be transmitted per TB per MACentity, a maximum of one MCH MAC PDU can be transmitted per TTI.

At least one RRC message may provide configuration parameters for atleast one cell and configuration parameters for PUCCH groups. Theinformation elements in one or more RRC messages may provide mappingbetween configured cells and PUCCH SCells. Cells may be grouped into aplurality of cell groups and a cell may be assigned to one of theconfigured PUCCH groups. There may be a one-to-one relationship betweenPUCCH groups and cells with configured PUCCH resources. At least one RRCmessage may provide mapping between an SCell and a PUCCH group, andPUCCH configuration on PUCCH SCell.

System information (common parameters) for an SCell may be carried in aRadioResourceConfigCommonSCell in a dedicated RRC message. Some of thePUCCH related information may be included in common information of anSCell (e.g. in the RadioResourceConfigCommonSCell). Dedicatedconfiguration parameters of SCell and PUCCH resources may be configuredby dedicated RRC signaling using, for example,RadioResourceConfigDedicatedSCell.

The IE PUCCH-ConfigCommon and IE PUCCH-ConfigDedicated may be used tospecify the common and the UE specific PUCCH configuration respectively.

In an example, PUCCH-ConfigCommon may include: deltaPUCCH-Shift:ENUMERATED {ds1, ds2, ds3}; nRB-CQI: INTEGER (0.98); nCS-AN: INTEGER(0.7); and/or n1PUCCH-AN: INTEGER (0.2047). The parameterdeltaPUCCH-Shift (Δ_(shift) ^(PUCCH)), nRB-CQI (N_(RB) ⁽²⁾), nCS-An(N_(cs) ⁽¹⁾), and n1PUCCH-AN (N_(PUCCH) ⁽¹⁾) may be physical layerparameters of PUCCH.

PUCCH-ConfigDedicated may be employed. PUCCH-ConfigDedicated mayinclude: ackNackRepetition CHOICE{release: NULL, setup: SEQUENCE{repetitionFactor: ENUMERATED {n2, n4, n6, spare1},n1PUCCH-AN-Rep:INTEGER (0.2047)}}, tdd-AckNackFeedbackMode: ENUMERATED {bundling,multiplexing} OPTIONAL}. ackNackRepetitionj parameter indicates whetherACK/NACK repetition is configured. n2 corresponds to repetition factor2, n4 to 4 for repetitionFactor parameter (N_(ANRep)). n1PUCCH-AN-Repparameter may be n_(PUCCH, ANRep) ^((1,p)) for antenna port P0 and forantenna port P1. dd-AckNackFeedbackMode parameter may indicate one ofthe TDD ACK/NACK feedback modes used. The value bundling may correspondto use of ACK/NACK bundling whereas, the value multiplexing maycorrespond to ACK/NACK multiplexing. The same value may apply to bothACK/NACK feedback modes on PUCCH as well as on PUSCH.

The parameter PUCCH-ConfigDedicated may include simultaneous PUCCH-PUSCHparameter indicating whether simultaneous PUCCH and PUSCH transmissionsis configured. An E-UTRAN may configure this field for the PCell whenthe nonContiguousUL-RA-WithinCC-Info is set to supported in the band onwhich PCell is configured. The E-UTRAN may configure this field for thePSCell when the nonContiguousUL-RA-WithinCC-Info is set to supported inthe band on which PSCell is configured. The E-UTRAN may configure thisfield for the PUCCH SCell when the nonContiguousUL-RA-WithinCC-Info isset to supported in the band on which PUCCH SCell is configured.

A UE may transmit radio capabilities to an eNB to indicate whether UEsupport the configuration of PUCCH groups. The simultaneous PUCCH-PUSCHin the UE capability message may be applied to both a PCell and anSCell. Simultaneous PUCCH+PUSCH may be configured separately (usingseparate IEs) for a PCell and a PUCCH SCell. For example, a PCell and aPUCCH SCell may have different or the same configurations related tosimultaneous PUCCH+PUSCH.

The eNB may select the PUCCH SCell among current SCells or candidateSCells considering cell loading, carrier quality (e.g. using measurementreports), carrier configuration, and/or other parameters. From afunctionality perspective, a PUCCH Cell group management procedure mayinclude a PUCCH Cell group addition, a PUCCH cell group release, a PUCCHcell group change and/or a PUCCH cell group reconfiguration. The PUCCHcell group addition procedure may be used to add a secondary PUCCH cellgroup (e.g., to add PUCCH SCell and one or more SCells in the secondaryPUCCH cell group). In an example embodiment, cells may be released andadded employing one or more RRC messages. In another example embodiment,cells may be released employing a first RRC message and then addedemploying a second RRC messages.

SCells including PUCCH SCell may be in a deactivated state when they areconfigured. A PUCCH SCell may be activated after an RRC configurationprocedure by an activation MAC CE. An eNB may transmit a MAC CEactivation command to a UE. The UE may activate an SCell in response toreceiving the MAC CE activation command.

In example embodiments, a timer is running once it is started, until itis stopped or until it expires; otherwise it may not be running. A timercan be started if it is not running or restarted if it is running. Forexample, a timer may be started or restarted from its initial value.

The scheduling request (SR) is used for requesting UL-SCH resources fornew transmission(s). In DC, scheduling request (SR) may be directlytransmitted from UE to SeNB via PSCell. This may reduce scheduling delayand related signaling load.

When PUCCH groups are configured, SR resources may be configured onPCell, PUCCH SCell, or both. The possibility to have SR resources inPUCCH SCell(s) may allow better distribution of SR load among theserving cells. In an example configuration, an SR for a UE may betransmitted on a serving cell, e.g. either on the PCell or on a givenPUCCH SCell. In some scenarios, there may be more capacity available onthe SCell, and this may be a reason to allocate more SR resources on anPUCCH SCell. If PUCCH on an SCell carries SR signals, the chance of a UEinitiated RA on the PCell due to a scheduling request may be reduced andsignalling overhead and RACH resource usage may be reduced.

An SR load may be shared among PUCCH SCell and PCell. SR resources maybe configured on PUCCH SCell. Whether to configure SR resources onPCell, on the PUCCH SCell, or on both PCell and the PUCCH SCell may beup to eNB and/or UE implementation. SR resources may be configured onboth PCell and PUCCH SCell. An SR_COUNTER may be increased when SR issent on either PUCCH SCell or PCell and sr-ProhibitTimer may beimplemented to control the timing of SR transmission. An SR process mayemploy SR resources on both PCell and PUCCH SCell.

SR resources may be interleaved in time domain, for example, somesubframes (TTIs) may include a valid SR resource on PCell, and someother subframes may include a valid SR resource on the PUCCH SCell. Inan example, as shown in FIG. 14, some TTIs may include a valid SRresource on the PCell, some TTIs may include a valid SR resource on thePUCCH SCell, and some TTIs may include a valid SR resource on both PCelland PUCCH SCell. In an example, a valid SR resource on PCell and PUCCHSCell may have the same configuration and may overlap in time. A TTI maynot include any valid SR resource or include more than one SR resources(on both PCell and PUCCH SCell). An eNB may employ different IEs forconfiguration of SR resources on PCell and PUCCH SCell. Exampleembodiments may be applicable to various SR configurationimplementations on PCell and PUCCH SCell.

In an example embodiment, SR resources may be configured by one or moreinformation elements in an RRC message. For example,SchedulingRequestConfig IE may be employed for configuration of PUCCHresources on the PCell and/or on a PUCCH SCell. TheSchedulingRequestConfig IE may be used to specify some of the schedulingrequest related parameters. The SchedulingRequestConfig IE may beincluded in a dedicated physical layer configuration IE of a UEconfiguration.

The SchedulingRequestConfig IE may comprise an information element toset up or release scheduling resources and other parameters.SchedulingRequestConfig IE may comprise PUCCH resource Index(sr-ConfigIndex), SR configuration index (sr-ConfigIndex), and SRmaximum transmission (dsr-TransMax) IEs. At least one RRC message mayinclude a first SchedulingRequestConfig IE for configuration of SRresources on PCell, and a second SchedulingRequestConfig IE forconfiguration of SR resources on PUCCH SCell. sr-ConfigIndex may bedefined and sr-PUCCH-ResourceIndex (e.g. sr-PUCCH-ResourceIndex,sr-PUCCH-ResourceIndexP1) may be defined according to 3GPP TS 36.213v.12 specifications. E-UTRAN may configure sr-PUCCH-ResourceIndexP1 ifsr-PUCCHResourceIndex is configured.

At least one RRC message configuring SR configuration may also includesr-ProhibitTimer IE to be employed to determine a timer value forscheduling request processes.

When an SR is triggered, the corresponding SR process may be consideredas pending until it is cancelled. Pending SR(s) may be cancelled andsr-ProhibitTimer may be stopped when a MAC PDU is assembled and this PDUincludes a BSR (Buffer Status Report) which contains buffer status up to(and including) the last event that triggered a BSR, or when the ULgrant(s) can accommodate pending data available for transmission. If anSR is triggered and there is no other SR pending, the MAC entity may setthe SR_COUNTER to 0.

As long as one SR is pending, the MAC entity and if no UL-SCH resourcesare available for a transmission in this TTI, and if the MAC entity hasno valid PUCCH resource for SR configured in any TTI: UE (e.g. MACentity) may initiate a Random Access procedure on the SpCell and cancelpending SRs. In an example embodiment, if SR resources are configured ona PUCCH SCell and the PUCCH SCell is deactivated, the MAC entity may nothave a valid PUCCH resource for SR on a deactivated PUCCH SCell. If SRis not configured on a PUCCH SCell, the MAC entity may not have a validPUCCH resource for SR on the PUCCH SCell.

In an example embodiment, a UE may receive at least one RRC messagecomprising configuration parameters of one or more cells, the RRCmessage may comprise configuration parameters of scheduling requestresources and processes. At least one RRC message may comprise a firstSR maximum transmission information element (IE) for the PCell and asecond SR maximum transmission information element for the PUCCH SCell.The at least one message may comprise a common SR prohibit timerinformation element which is used for both PCell and PUCCH SCell.

The at least one message may comprise a first scheduling requestconfiguration index for scheduling request resources on the primaryPUCCH. The first scheduling request configuration index may indicate afirst scheduling request period and a first offset as shown in exampleFIG. 15. The at least one message may further comprise a secondscheduling request configuration index for scheduling request resourceson the secondary PUCCH. The second scheduling request configurationindex may indicate a second scheduling request period and a secondoffset as shown in example FIG. 15. The initial value of the SR timermay be determined employing the common SR prohibit timer IE. The commonSR prohibit timer IE may indicate a number, e.g., from 0 to 7. Theinitial value may be determined as a value of the number (SR prohibittimer IE) times a SR period. The SR period is of the shortest SR periodof the first SR period and the second SR period. For example, a Value 0may mean no timer for SR transmission on PUCCH is configured wherein: aValue 1 may correspond to one SR period, a Value 2 corresponds to 2*SRperiods and so on.

The SR prohibit timer may be configured by radio resource controlmessages. The SR prohibit timer may be configured for SR processes in aMAC entity. The SR prohibit timer may be configured employing at leastone PCell dedicated configuration parameter. When an SR is transmittedon the PUCCH SCell or the PCell, the UE (e.g. MAC entity) may start theSR prohibit timer employing SR prohibit timer IE value configuredemploying the at least one dedicated configuration parameter. The SRprohibit timer may be equally called SR prohibit timer for theconfigured SR resources regardless of whether the SR resources is onPCell or the PUCCH SCell. An RRC message may comprise one SR prohibittimer IE that is employed for determining the SR prohibit timer initialvalue. The SR prohibit timer initial value is employed for SR prohibittimer (SR timer) regardless of whether SR is transmitted on PCell orPUCCH SCell. This mechanism may reduce flexibility in configuringdifferent SR prohibit timer IE and/or SR prohibit timer values (initialvalues) for an SR process when the SR signal is transmitted on a theprimary cell and/or secondary cell(s). This may reduce signallingoverhead by reducing the size of the RRC message. With thisconfiguration, a UE may not need to receive, store and/or maintainmultiple SR prohibit timer values, and the same information element mayapply to an SR process regardless of whether an SR is transmitted onPCell or PUCCH SCell. An RRC message may include a single SR prohibittimer IE. A single SR prohibit timer may be configured as a parameterfor SR transmission process when SR is transmitted on PUCCH resources onPUCCH SCell(s) and/or the PCell.

Various SR prohibit timer initial values may be supported. A single SRprohibit timer initial values may be supported by the UE and eNB, andthe same SR prohibit timer may be used regardless of whether PCell orPUCCH SCell is employed for carrying a SR request. This may reduceflexibility in configuring multiple SR prohibit timers and/or initialvalues for different PUCCH resources in primary PUCCH group andsecondary PUCCH group(s). An SR process may employ the same SR prohibittimer IE/value regardless of whether PCell or PUCCH SCell is employedfor carrying a SR request. Otherwise, each group much have its own timerand/or initial value, which may increase signalling overhead.

In example embodiment, at least one RRC message may comprise an SRprohibit timer information element for an SR process. The at least oneRRC message may comprise a first SR maximum transmission informationelements for SR resources on the PCell and a second SR maximumtransmission information elements for SR resources on the PUCCH SCell.This mechanism provides a balance between reducing overhead andproviding flexibility in configuration of SR resources on PCell, PUCCHSCell or both.

In an example embodiment, a wireless device may receive at least onemessage comprising: configuration parameters of a plurality of cells.The plurality of cells are grouped into a plurality of physical uplinkcontrol channel (PUCCH) groups comprising: a primary PUCCH group; and asecondary PUCCH group. The at least one message further comprises: adistinct scheduling request (SR) maximum number of transmissionsinformation element (IE) for each PUCCH group in the plurality of PUCCHgroups; and an SR prohibit timer IE for an SR timer.

The at least one message comprises a first IE for the primary PUCCH ifscheduling request (SR) resources are configured for the primary cell.The first IE indicating an SR maximum number of transmissions. The atleast one message comprises a second IE for the secondary PUCCH if SRresources are configured for the PUCCH secondary cell. The second IEindicating the SR maximum number of transmissions. The eNB configuresthe same value of the SR maximum number of transmissions for the primaryPUCCH and the secondary PUCCH if SR is configured for both the primaryPUCCH and the secondary PUCCH.

In an example embodiment, the least one RRC message may comprise a firstSR maximum transmission information element for PCell and a second SRmaximum transmission information element for the PUCCH SCell. Thisprocess may allow flexibility in configuring SR resources on PCell,PUCCH SCell or both. This may increase the signaling overhead, butprovide the needed flexibility in configuring SR resources on PCell,SCell, or both. When PUCCH groups are configured, SR may be configuredon PCell and/or PUCCH SCell. The possibility to have SR in PUCCHSCell(s) may allow better distribution of SR load among the servingcells. The least one RRC message may comprise an SR prohibit timer IEfor SR processes of the UE in a MAC entity (each of MCG and SCG has itsown MAC entity).

In an example configuration, an SR request signal for a UE may betransmitted on a serving cell, e.g. either on the PCell or on the PUCCHSCell. The wireless device may transmit, on a cell in a PUCCH cell group(one of PCell or PUCCH SCell), an SR associated with an SR process. Thewireless device may start the SR timer with an initial value determinedemploying at least the SR prohibit timer IE regardless of which PUCCHcell group in the plurality of PUCCH cell groups is employed fortransmission of the SR. If the SR maximum number of transmissions isreached and the SR timer is expired and the SR process is pending, thenthe wireless device may cancel the pending SR process. The SR maximumnumber of transmissions may be determined by the first SR maximumtransmission IE or the second SR maximum transmission IE (both have thesame value).

In an example embodiment, an eNB may configure PUCCH SR resources onPCell, PUCCH SCell or both. In an example embodiment, when SR processesare performed, if the MAC entity has a valid PUCCH resource for SRconfigured for this TTI and if this TTI is not a part of a measurementgap and if sr-ProhibitTimer is not running: −>If SR_COUNTER<dsr-TransMax, then UE (e.g. MAC entity) may perform one, more than one,or all the following: UE may increment SR_COUNTER by 1; UE may instructthe physical layer to signal the SR on PUCCH; and/or UE may start thesr-ProhibitTimer; Else UE may perform one, more than one, or all thefollowing: UE may notify RRC to release PUCCH/SRS for serving cells; UEmay clear any configured downlink assignments and uplink grants; and/orUE may initiate a Random Access procedure on the SpCell and cancelpending SRs.

When an SR process is failed (when the SR_COUNTER=dsr-TransMax), a UEmay notify RRC to release PUCCH/SRS for all serving cells withconfigured PUCCH and/or SRS, regardless of whether one or more SRsignals are transmitted on the primary PUCCH or the secondary PUCCH. TheUE may clear any configured downlink assignments and uplink grants, theUE may initiate a random access procedure on the SpCell, and/or cancelpending SRs when an SR process is failed regardless of whether one ormore SR signals transmitted on the primary PUCCH or the secondary PUCCH.For example, the UE may notify RRC to release PUCCH/SRS for all servingcells (including PCell, PUCCH SCell and other SCells) with configuredPUCCH and/or SRS regardless of whether the last SR is transmitted onwither PCell or PUCCH SCell. For example, the UE may clear anyconfigured downlink assignments and uplink grants, the UE may initiate arandom access procedure on the SpCell, and/or cancel pending SRsregardless of whether the last SR is transmitted on wither PCell orPUCCH SCell.

In an example embodiment, an eNB may configure PUCCH SR resources onPCell, PUCCH SCell or both. The MAC entity may have a valid PUCCHresource for SR configured in a TTI in PCell, SCell, or both dependingon SR configuration parameters. SR resources may interleaved in timedomain, for example, some subframes (TTIs) may include SR resources onPCell, and some other subframes may include SR resources on the PUCCHSCell. In an example, as shown in FIG. 14, some TTIs may include SRresources on the PCell (e.g. 1401, 1402, 1403), some TTIs may include SRresources on the PUCCH SCell (e.g. 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, 1408), andsome TTIs may include SR resources on both PCell and PUCCH SCell (e.g.TTI 1402/1406), and some TTI may not include any SR resources (e.g.1441, 1442, 1443). In an example, SR resources on PCell and PUCCH SCellmay have the same configuration and may overlap in time. A TTI may notinclude SR resources or include SR resources on both PCell and PUCCHSCell. An eNB may employ different IEs for configuration of SR resourceson PCell and PUCCH SCell. Example embodiments may be applicable tovarious SR configurations on PCell and PUCCH SCell.

FIG. 14 is an example SR process as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention. Example valid SR resources for the primary PUCCHare in TTI (subframe) 1401, 1402, and 1403. Example valid SR resourcesfor the secondary PUCCH are 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408. As shownin the example, in TTI 1402/1406, both the primary PUCCH and thesecondary PUCCH have valid SR resources. TTI 1402 and TTI 1406 are thesame TTI. 1402 points to an SR resource on the primary PUCCH. 1406points to an SR resource on the secondary PUCCH.

If the MAC entity has at least one valid PUCCH resource for SRconfigured for this TTI and if this TTI is not part of a measurement gapand if sr-ProhibitTimer is not running: ->If SR_COUNTER <dsr-TransMax,then UE may perform one, more than one, or all the following: UE mayincrement SR_COUNTER by 1; UE may select SR resources on PUCCH of PCellor SCell and UE may instruct the physical layer to signal the SR on theselected PUCCH; and/or UE may start the sr-ProhibitTimer; Else UE mayperform one, more than one, or all the following: UE may notify RRC torelease PUCCH/SRS for serving cells; UE may clear any configureddownlink assignments and uplink grants; and/or UE may initiate a RandomAccess procedure on the SpCell and cancel pending SRs.

The physical layer is instructed in a given TTI to signal the SR onPUCCH resources. The UE (e.g. MAC layer/entity) may need to determinewhether the scheduling request is transmitted on PCell PUCCH or SCellPUCCH. For example, a TTI may include RRC resource on PCell or PUCCHSCell, none, or both. In an example, a TTI may include SR resources onboth PCell and PUCCH SCell. SR resources on PCell and PUCCH SCell mayoverlap in time. Some subframes (TTI) may include SR resources on bothPCell and SCell. When only one of the PCell and PUCCH Cell includeconfigured SR resource in a given TTI, then MAC instructs the physicallayer to signal the SR on the cell with the configured SR resources onthat TTI using PUCCH resources on the selected cell. For example,subframe 1401 includes valid SR resources on the primary PUCCH.Secondary PUCCH does not include SR resource in subframe 1401. Forexample, subframe 1408 includes valid SR resource on the secondaryPUCCH. The primary PUCCH does not include valid SR resources in TTI1408.

If in a given TTI SR resources are configured and valid on both PCelland SCell, the UE (e.g. MAC entity) may need to select which cell isemployed for SR signal transmission. For example, in subframe 1402/1406,SR resources are configured on both the PCell (SR resource 1402) and thePUCCH SCell (SR resource 1406). In the example in FIG. 14, the UEselected the SR resource on the primary PUCCH for SR signal transmission1411. In another example (not shown in FIG. 14), a UE may select the SRresource on the PUCCH SCell, when in a given TTI SR resources are validon both the primary PUCCH and the secondary PUCCH. The UE may select oneof the SR resources on the primary PUCCH and the secondary PUCCH for SRtransmission. The UE may not transmit the SR on both SR resources whenmore than one SR resources are available in a given subframe. Thismechanism enables implementation of a scheduling process usingconfigured SR resources on PCell and PUCCH SCell. The wireless devicemay perform an independent selection for every TTI, in which more thanone valid SR resource is available for SR signal transmission in theTTI. The wireless device may perform a selection and apply it to one ormore TTIs, in which more than one valid SR resource is available for SRsignal transmission. The selection may be determined according to apre-defined rule, and/or pre-configured in the wireless device.

In an example embodiment, a UE (e.g. MAC entity in the UE) may use adeterministic process to select the cell with PUCCH resources when in aTTI includes SR resources on the PCell and PUCCH SCell. For example, theUE may prioritize PCell PUCCH SR resources over SCell PUCCH resources.The UE may select PCell for transmission of SR on PUCCH when resourceson both PCell and PUCCH SCell are available. In an example, UE mayalternate between PCell and PUCCH SCell for transmission of subsequentSR transmission (e.g. PCell, SCell, PCell, SCell, etc) when resources onboth PCell and PUCCH SCell are available in multiple TTIs scheduled forSR transmission. In an example, the UE may select PCell or SCell basedon a cell load, a PUCCH load, interference or other cell relatedparameters.

In an example, UE may autonomously select one of the PCell and SCellwhen SR resources are available on both PCell and SCell in a TTI. A UEmay employ a pre-deterministic process to select one of the two cells.In an example, UE may select one of the PCell and SCell according to arandom or pseudo random process when SR resources are available on bothPCell and SCell in a TTI. Similar methods may be implemented when morethan two PUCCH SR resources are available, for example, when there aremore than two cells with available PUCCH SR resources. In an exampleembodiment, a predetermined formula may be implemented for selection ofone of PCell and PUCCH SCell in a given TTI (e.g. as a function of TTIand availability of SR resources in the TTI).

In an example embodiment, SR resources may be configured by eNB in a waythat TTIs with available SR resources in PCell and SCell do not overlap.If TTIs with available SR PUCCH resources do not overlap on PCell andPUCCH SCell, then in a given TTI, a valid SR resource may be availableon either PCell or PUCCH SCell but not both. Depending on theconfiguration, in some TTIs, an SR resource may not be available on noneof PCell and PUCCH SCell. When TTIs with SR resource in PCell and PUCCHSCell do not have overlap, the time difference between two subsequentsubframes with SR resources may be reduced.

The Scheduling Request (SR) may be used for requesting UL-SCH resourcesfor a new transmission. When an SR is triggered, it may be considered aspending until it is cancelled. Pending SR(s) may be cancelled andsr-ProhibitTimer may be stopped when a MAC PDU is assembled and this PDUincludes a BSR which contains buffer status up to (and including) thelast event that triggered a BSR. In an example, for the case whenpending SR(s) are triggered by Sidelink BSR, pending SR(s) may becancelled and sr-ProhibitTimer may be stopped, when a MAC PDU isassembled and this PDU includes a Sidelink BSR which contains bufferstatus up to (and including) the last event that triggered a SidelinkBSR.

If an SR is triggered and there is no other SR pending, the MAC entitymay set the SR_COUNTER to 0.

As long as one SR is pending, the MAC entity may for each TTI performthe following actions. If no UL-SCH resources are available for atransmission in this TTI and if the MAC entity has no valid PUCCHresource for SR configured in any TTI, the UE (e.g. the MAC entity) mayinitiate a random access procedure on the SpCell and cancel all pendingSRs in the MAC entity.

As long as one SR is pending, the MAC entity may for each TTI performthe following. If no UL-SCH resources are available for a transmissionin this TTI and if the MAC entity has valid PUCCH resource for SRconfigured in some TTIs, and if the MAC entity has at least one validPUCCH resource for SR configured for this TTI and if this TTI is notpart of a measurement gap and if sr-ProhibitTimer is not running, a UE(e.g. MAC entity) may perform the following action(s): if SR_COUNTER<dsr-TransMax: increment SR_COUNTER by 1; instruct the physical layer tosignal the SR on one valid PUCCH resource for SR; start thesr-ProhibitTimer. Otherwise, the UE (e.g. MAC entity) may implement oneor more of the following actions: notify RRC to release PUCCH (ifconfigured) for all serving cells; notify RRC to release SRS (ifconfigured) for all serving cells; clear any configured downlinkassignments and uplink grants; initiate a random access procedure on theSpCell and cancel all pending SRs.

In an example embodiment, the selection of which valid PUCCH resourcefor SR to signal SR on when the MAC entity has more than one valid PUCCHresource for SR in one TTI is left to UE implementation. In a TTI, SRresources may be configured on PCell, PUCCH SCell or both. SR resourcesmay be considered valid, when an SR can be transmitted on SR resources.For example, when a PUCCH SCell is deactivated or when PUCCH SCell is ina TAG whose TAT is not running, configured SR resources on the PUCCH maynot be considered valid SR resources. An SR may not be transmitted on adeactivated or out-of-sync PUCCH SCell.

A UE may be configured by higher layers to transmit the SR on oneantenna port or two antenna ports of the selected SCell. The schedulingrequest may be transmitted on the PUCCH resource(s) n_(PUCCH)^((1,p))=n_(PUCCH,SRI) ^((1,p)) for p mapped to antenna port p, wheren_(PUCCH,SRI) ^((1,p)) may be configured by higher layers unless the SRcoincides in time with the transmission of HARQ-ACK using PUCCH Format 3in which case the SR may be multiplexed with HARQ-ACK. The SRconfiguration for SR transmission periodicity SR_(PERIODICITY) and SRsubframe offset N_(OFFSET,SR) may be defined in the Table in FIG. 14 bythe parameter sr-ConfigIndex I_(SR) given by higher layers. SRtransmission instances are the uplink subframes satisfying(10×n_(f)+└n_(s)/2┘−N_(OFFSET,SR)) mod SR_(PERIODICITY)=0.

FIG. 16 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention. A wireless device receives at least one messagefrom a base station at 1610. The message may comprise configurationparameters of a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells may comprisea primary cell and a PUCCH secondary cell. The primary cell may comprisea primary physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). The PUCCH secondarycell may comprise a secondary PUCCH. The message(s) may also comprise afirst information element (IE) for the primary PUCCH if schedulingrequest (SR) resources are configured for the primary cell. The first IEmay indicate an SR maximum number of transmissions. The message(s) mayalso comprise a second IE for the secondary PUCCH if SR resources areconfigured for the PUCCH secondary cell. The second IE may indicate theSR maximum number of transmissions. The message(s) may also comprise anSR prohibit timer IE for an SR timer.

The at least one message may comprise a first scheduling requestconfiguration index for scheduling request resources on the primaryPUCCH. The first scheduling request configuration index may indicate afirst scheduling request period and a first offset as shown in exampleFIG. 15. The at least one message may further comprise a secondscheduling request configuration index for scheduling request resourceson the secondary PUCCH. The second scheduling request configurationindex may indicate a second scheduling request period and a secondoffset as shown in example FIG. 15. The initial value of the SR timermay be determined employing the SR prohibit timer IE. The SR prohibittimer IE may indicate a number, e.g., from 0 to 7. The initial value maybe determined as a value of the number (SR prohibit timer IE) times a SRperiod. The SR period is of the shortest SR period of the first SRperiod and the second SR period. For example, a Value 0 may mean notimer for SR transmission on PUCCH is configured wherein: a Value 1 maycorrespond to one SR period, a Value 2 corresponds to 2*SR periods andso on.

The plurality of cells may be grouped into a plurality of PUCCH groups.The PUCCH groups may comprise a primary PUCCH group and/or a secondaryPUCCH group. The primary PUCCH group may comprise the primary cell. Thesecondary PUCCH group may comprise the PUCCH secondary cell.

At 1620, the wireless device may transmit an SR associated with an SRprocess. The SR may be transmitted on the primary PUCCH or the secondaryPUCCH. SR resources may be configured on the primary PUCCH and/or thesecondary PUCCH. First SR resources may be configured on the primarycell. Second SR resources may be configured on the PUCCH secondary cell.FIG. 14 is an example SR process as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

The SR timer may be started at 1530 with an initial value determinedemploying at least the SR prohibit timer IE regardless of which one ofthe primary PUCCH and the secondary PUCCH is employed for transmissionof the SR (see 1450, 1460, 1470). In the example FIG. 14, 1450 (SR onPrimary PUCCH) and 1460 (SR on Primary PUCCH) and 1470 (SR on PrimaryPUCCH) have the same initial value and are configured employing the samethe SR prohibit timer IE. The SR counter may be incremented by one whenthe SR is transmitted.

The SR process may be cancelled at 1640 if the SR maximum number oftransmissions is reached in a first SR subframe. The first IE mayindicate an SR maximum number of transmissions. The second IE for thesecondary PUCCH indicate the same SR maximum number of transmissions.The first IE and the second IE may not be configurable to have differentvalues. For example, the first SR subframe may be a subframe when: theSR is pending, no uplink shared channel resource is available fortransmission, a MAC entity has at least one valid PUCCH resource for theSR, the subframe is not a part of a measurement gap, and the SR timer isnot running.

FIG. 17 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention. A wireless device may receive message(s) from abase station at 1710. The message(s) may comprise configurationparameters, a first information element (IE), a second IE, and/or an SRprohibit timer IE. The configuration parameters may be for a pluralityof cells. The plurality of cells may comprise a primary cell and/or aPUCCH secondary cell. The primary cell may comprise a primary physicaluplink control channel (PUCCH). The PUCCH secondary cell may comprise asecondary PUCCH. The first (IE) may be for the primary PUCCH ifscheduling request (SR) resources are configured for the primary cell.The first IE may indicate an SR maximum number of transmissions. Thesecond IE may be for the secondary PUCCH if the SR resources areconfigured for the PUCCH secondary cell. The second IE may indicate theSR maximum number of transmissions (have the same value as the firstIE). The SR prohibit timer IE may be for an SR timer. The first SRresources may be configured on the primary cell. The second SR resourcesmay be configured on the PUCCH secondary cell.

The plurality of cells may be grouped into a plurality of PUCCH groups.The plurality of PUCCH groups may comprise a primary PUCCH group and/ora secondary PUCCH group. The primary PUCCH group may comprise theprimary cell. The secondary PUCCH group may comprise the PUCCH secondarycell.

The SR may be transmitted on the primary PUCCH and/or the secondaryPUCCH. The SR resources may be configured on the primary PUCCH and/orthe secondary PUCCH.

A determination of whether an SR counter is less than the SR maximumnumber of transmissions in a first SR subframe may be made at 1720. Ifthe determination is negative, an SR process may be cancelled at 1760.Both the first IE and the second IE have the same value of the SRmaximum number of transmissions.

A series of actions may occur if the determination is positive. The SRcounter may be incrementing by one at 1730. A physical layer may beinstructed at 1740 to signal an SR associated with an SR process on onevalid PUCCH resource for the SR. At 1750, the SR timer may be startedwith an initial value determined employing at least the SR prohibittimer IE regardless of which one of the primary PUCCH and the secondaryPUCCH is employed for transmission of the SR. An example is shown inFIG. 14.

The at least one message may comprise a first scheduling requestconfiguration index for scheduling request resources on the primaryPUCCH. The first scheduling request configuration index may indicate afirst scheduling request period and a first offset as shown in exampleFIG. 15. The at least one message may further comprise a secondscheduling request configuration index for scheduling request resourceson the secondary PUCCH. The second scheduling request configurationindex may indicate a second scheduling request period and a secondoffset as shown in example FIG. 15. The initial value of the SR timermay be determined employing the SR prohibit timer IE. The SR prohibittimer IE may indicate a number, e.g., from 0 to 7. The initial value maybe determined as a value of the number (SR prohibit timer IE) times a SRperiod. The SR period is of the shortest SR period of the first SRperiod and the second SR period. For example, a Value 0 may mean notimer for SR transmission on PUCCH is configured wherein: a Value 1 maycorrespond to one SR period, a Value 2 corresponds to 2*SR periods andso on.

In an example, the first SR subframe may be a subframe when: the SRprocess is pending, no uplink shared channel resource is available fortransmission, a MAC entity has at least one valid PUCCH resource for theSR, the subframe is not a part of a measurement gap, and the SR timer isnot running.

FIG. 18 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention. A wireless device receives at least one messagefrom a base station at 1810. The message may comprise configurationparameters of a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells may comprisea primary cell and a PUCCH secondary cell. The primary cell may comprisea primary physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmitted to a basestation. The PUCCH secondary cell may comprise a secondary PUCCHtransmitted to the base station.

The plurality of cells may be grouped into a plurality of physicaluplink control channel (PUCCH) groups. The PUCCH) groups may comprise aprimary PUCCH group and/or a secondary PUCCH group. The primary PUCCHgroup may comprise the primary cell. The secondary PUCCH group maycomprise the PUCCH secondary cell.

A physical layer may be instructed, at 1820, by a media access control(MAC) entity, to transmit a scheduling request signal on one valid PUCCHresource for a scheduling request in a subframe. The MAC entity mayselect one of the primary PUCCH and the secondary PUCCH as the one validPUCCH resource for the scheduling request to transmit the schedulingrequest signal in the subframe when the MAC entity has more than the onevalid PUCCH resource for the scheduling request in the subframe.

At 1830, the scheduling request signal may be transmitted, by thephysical layer, on the one valid PUCCH resource.

A PUCCH resource for the scheduling request may be valid when thescheduling request signal can be transmitted on the PUCCH resource. TheMAC entity may select the one valid PUCCH resource according to animplementation rule. A PUCCH resource for the scheduling request on thePUCCH secondary cell may be invalid when the PUCCH secondary cell isdeactivated.

FIG. 19 is an example flow diagram as per an aspect of an embodiment ofthe present invention. At 1910, a wireless device may receive at leastone message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells.The plurality of cell may comprise a primary cell with a primaryphysical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmitted to a base station;and a PUCCH secondary cell with a secondary PUCCH transmitted to thebase station. At 1930, the wireless device may transmit a schedulingrequest on one valid PUCCH resource for a scheduling request resource ina subframe, wherein the wireless device selects one of the primary PUCCHand the secondary PUCCH as the one valid PUCCH resource for transmittingthe scheduling request in the subframe when the wireless device has morethan the one valid PUCCH resource for the scheduling request in thesubframe.

Various example implementations are possible. The MAC entity may selectthe primary PUCCH resource for the scheduling request when both theprimary PUCCH and the secondary PUCCH have valid PUCCH resources. TheMAC entity may select the one valid PUCCH resource employing at leastone rule. Example rules may comprise: the MAC entity prioritizing theprimary PUCCH resource for the scheduling request; the MAC entityemploying PUCCH resource load information; the MAC entity alternatingbetween the primary PUCCH resource for the scheduling request and thesecondary PUCCH resource for the scheduling request; the MAC entity mayemploy a random or pseudo random process, a combination thereof, and/orthe like. The wireless device may autonomously select one of the primaryPUCCH resource for the scheduling request and the secondary PUCCHresource for the scheduling request when the MAC entity has more thanone valid PUCCH resource for the scheduling request in the subframe.

Additionally, the wireless device may determine whether the primaryPUCCH, the secondary PUCCH, or both have at least one valid PUCCHresource for the scheduling request configured for the subframe.

A Primary PUCCH group may comprise a group of serving cells including aPCell whose PUCCH signaling is associated with the PUCCH on the PCell. APUCCH group may be either a primary PUCCH group or a secondary PUCCHgroup. A PUCCH SCell may comprise a secondary cell configured withPUCCH. A secondary PUCCH group may comprise a group of SCells whosePUCCH signalling is associated with the PUCCH on the PUCCH SCell.

With regard to a Physical uplink control channel, a PUCCH may betransmitted on a PCell, a PUCCH SCell (if such is configured in CA)and/or on a PSCell (in DC). With regard to Carrier Aggregation, theconfigured set of serving cells for a UE may comprise of one PCell andone or more SCells. In an example, if DC is not configured, oneadditional PUCCH may be configured on an SCell and referred to as aPUCCH SCell. When a PUCCH SCell is configured, an RRC may configure themapping of each serving cell to a Primary PUCCH group and/or a SecondaryPUCCH group, (e.g., for each SCell whether the PCell and/or the PUCCHSCell is used for the transmission of ACK/NAKs and CSI reports).

An IE PhysicalConfigDedicated may be employed to specify a UE specificphysical channel configuration. An IE SchedulingRequestConfig may beemployed to specify Scheduling Request related parameters such as, forexample, a SchedulingRequestConfig information element, a releaseparameter, a setup parameter, an sr-PUCCH-ResourceIndex parameter,and/or an sr-ConfigIndex parameter. With regard to a dsr-TransMax filed,parameter for SR transmission may comprise value(s) corresponding to anumber of transmissions. For example, n4 may correspond to 4transmissions, n8 may correspond to 8 transmissions and so on. EUTRANmay configure the same value for all serving cells for which this fieldis configured. An IE PhysicalConfigDedicated field may be employed tospecify a UE specific physical channel configuration. An IESchedulingRequestConfig may be employed to specify the SchedulingRequest related parameters. An IE MAC-MainConfig may be employed tospecify a MAC main configuration for signalling and data radio bearers.All MAC main configuration parameters may be configured independentlyper Cell Group (i.e. MCG or SCG), unless explicitly specified otherwise.

A timer for an SR transmission on PUCCH (e.g. sr-ProhibitTimer) maycomprise a value in number of SR period(s) of shortest SR period of anyserving cell with PUCCH. For example, a Value 0 may mean no timer for SRtransmission on PUCCH is configured wherein: a Value 1 may correspond toone SR period, a Value 2 corresponds to 2*SR periods and so on.

A Scheduling Request (SR) may be employed to request, for example,UL-SCH resources for a new transmission. When an SR is triggered, it maybe considered as pending until it is cancelled. Pending SR(s) may becancelled and an sr-ProhibitTimer may be stopped when a MAC PDU isassembled and this PDU may comprise a BSR which contains a buffer statusup to (and including) the last event that triggered a BSR, or, if allpending SR(s) are triggered by a Sidelink BSR, when a MAC PDU isassembled and this PDU includes a Sidelink BSR which contains bufferstatus up to (and including) the last event that triggered a SidelinkBSR, or, if all pending SR(s) are triggered by Sidelink BSR, when upperlayers configure autonomous resource selection, or when the UL grant(s)may accommodate all pending data available for transmission. If an SR istriggered and there is no other SR pending, the MAC entity may set theSR_COUNTER to 0.

As long as one SR is pending, the MAC entity may for each TTI, and if noUL-SCH resources are available for a transmission in this TTI, and ifthe MAC entity has no valid PUCCH resource for SR configured in any TTI:initiate a Random Access procedure on the SpCell and cancel all pendingSRs. Otherwise, if the MAC entity has at least one valid PUCCH resourcefor an SR configured for the TTI and if the TTI is not part of ameasurement gap and if sr-ProhibitTimer is not running: if SR_COUNTER<dsr-TransMax, increment SR_COUNTER by 1, instruct the physical layer tosignal the SR on one valid PUCCH resource for SR, and/or start thesr-ProhibitTimer. Otherwise: notify the RRC to release a PUCCH for allserving cells, notify the RRC to release SRS for all serving cells,clear any configured downlink assignments and uplink grants, initiate aRandom Access procedure on the SpCell and/or cancel all pending SRs.Note that the selection of which valid PUCCH resource for SR to signalSR on when the MAC entity has more than one valid PUCCH resource for SRin one TTI may be left to a UE implementation.

In this specification, “a” and “an” and similar phrases are to beinterpreted as “at least one” and “one or more.” In this specification,the term “may” is to be interpreted as “may, for example.” In otherwords, the term “may” is indicative that the phrase following the term“may” is an example of one of a multitude of suitable possibilities thatmay, or may not, be employed to one or more of the various embodiments.If A and B are sets and every element of A is also an element of B, A iscalled a subset of B. In this specification, only non-empty sets andsubsets are considered. For example, possible subsets of B={cell1,cell2} are: {cell1}, {cell2}, and {cell1, cell2}.

In this specification, parameters (Information elements: IEs) maycomprise one or more objects, and each of those objects may comprise oneor more other objects. For example, if parameter (IE) N comprisesparameter (IE) M, and parameter (IE) M comprises parameter (IE) K, andparameter (IE) K comprises parameter (information element) J, then, forexample, N comprises K, and N comprises J. In an example embodiment,when one or more messages comprise a plurality of parameters, it impliesthat a parameter in the plurality of parameters is in at least one ofthe one or more messages, but does not have to be in each of the one ormore messages.

Many of the elements described in the disclosed embodiments may beimplemented as modules. A module is defined here as an isolatableelement that performs a defined function and has a defined interface toother elements. The modules described in this disclosure may beimplemented in hardware, software in combination with hardware,firmware, wetware (i.e. hardware with a biological element) or acombination thereof, all of which are behaviorally equivalent. Forexample, modules may be implemented as a software routine written in acomputer language configured to be executed by a hardware machine (suchas C, C++, Fortran, Java, Basic, Matlab or the like) or amodeling/simulation program such as Simulink, Stateflow, GNU Octave, orLabVIEWMathScript. Additionally, it may be possible to implement modulesusing physical hardware that incorporates discrete or programmableanalog, digital and/or quantum hardware. Examples of programmablehardware comprise: computers, microcontrollers, microprocessors,application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs); field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs); and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs).Computers, microcontrollers and microprocessors are programmed usinglanguages such as assembly, C, C++ or the like. FPGAs, ASICs and CPLDsare often programmed using hardware description languages (HDL) such asVHSIC hardware description language (VHDL) or Verilog that configureconnections between internal hardware modules with lesser functionalityon a programmable device. Finally, it needs to be emphasized that theabove mentioned technologies are often used in combination to achievethe result of a functional module.

The disclosure of this patent document incorporates material which issubject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection tothe facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, for the limited purposes required by law, butotherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example, and notlimitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope. In fact, after reading theabove description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevantart(s) how to implement alternative embodiments. Thus, the presentembodiments should not be limited by any of the above describedexemplary embodiments. In particular, it should be noted that, forexample purposes, the above explanation has focused on the example(s)using FDD communication systems. However, one skilled in the art willrecognize that embodiments of the invention may also be implemented in asystem comprising one or more TDD cells (e.g. frame structure 2 and/orframe structure 3—licensed assisted access). The disclosed methods andsystems may be implemented in wireless or wireline systems. The featuresof various embodiments presented in this invention may be combined. Oneor many features (method or system) of one embodiment may be implementedin other embodiments. Only a limited number of example combinations areshown to indicate to one skilled in the art the possibility of featuresthat may be combined in various embodiments to create enhancedtransmission and reception systems and methods.

In addition, it should be understood that any figures which highlightthe functionality and advantages, are presented for example purposesonly. The disclosed architecture is sufficiently flexible andconfigurable, such that it may be utilized in ways other than thatshown. For example, the actions listed in any flowchart may bere-ordered or only optionally used in some embodiments.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract of the Disclosure is to enable theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, andespecially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art whoare not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thetechnical disclosure of the application. The Abstract of the Disclosureis not intended to be limiting as to the scope in any way.

Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims that include theexpress language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6. Claims that do not expressly include the phrase“means for” or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112.

1. A method comprising: receiving, by a wireless device, at least one message comprising: configuration parameters of a plurality of cells comprising: a primary cell with a primary physical uplink control channel (PUCCH); and a PUCCH secondary cell with a secondary PUCCH; a first information element (IE) for the primary PUCCH, the first IE indicating an SR maximum number of transmissions; a second IE for the secondary PUCCH, the second IE indicating the SR maximum number of transmissions; and an SR prohibit timer IE for an SR timer; in response to an SR counter being less than the SR maximum number of transmissions in a first SR subframe: incrementing the SR counter by one; instructing a physical layer to signal an SR associated with an SR process on one valid PUCCH resource for the SR; and starting the SR timer configured with an expiration duration value determined based, at least, on the SR prohibit timer IE regardless of which one of the primary PUCCH and the secondary PUCCH is employed for transmission of the SR.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the SR is transmitted via the primary PUCCH or the secondary PUCCH.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein SR resources are configured on at least one of the primary PUCCH or the secondary PUCCH.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells are grouped into a plurality of PUCCH groups comprising: a primary PUCCH group comprising the primary cell; and a secondary PUCCH group comprising the PUCCH secondary cell.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: first SR resources are configured on the primary cell; and second SR resources are configured on the PUCCH secondary cell.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first SR subframe is a subframe when: the SR process is pending; no uplink shared channel resource is available for transmission; a MAC entity has at least one valid PUCCH resource for the SR; the subframe is not a part of a measurement gap; and the SR timer is not running.
 7. A wireless device comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to: receive at least one message comprising: configuration parameters of a plurality of cells comprising: a primary cell with a primary physical uplink control channel (PUCCH); and a PUCCH secondary cell with a secondary PUCCH; a first information element (IE) for the primary PUCCH, the first IE indicating an SR maximum number of transmissions; a second IE for the secondary PUCCH, the second IE indicating the SR maximum number of transmissions; and an SR prohibit timer IE for an SR timer; in response to an SR counter being less than the SR maximum number of transmissions in a first SR subframe: increment the SR counter by one; instruct a physical layer to signal an SR associated with an SR process on one valid PUCCH resource for the SR; and start the SR timer configured with an expiration duration value determined based, at least, on the SR prohibit timer IE regardless of which one of the primary PUCCH and the secondary PUCCH is employed for transmission of the SR.
 8. The wireless device of claim 7, wherein the SR is transmitted via the primary PUCCH or the secondary PUCCH.
 9. The wireless device of claim 7, wherein SR resources are configured on at least one of the primary PUCCH or the secondary PUCCH.
 10. The wireless device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of cells are grouped into a plurality of PUCCH groups comprising: a primary PUCCH group comprising the primary cell; and a secondary PUCCH group comprising the PUCCH secondary cell.
 11. The wireless device of claim 7, wherein: first SR resources are configured on the primary cell; and second SR resources are configured on the PUCCH secondary cell.
 12. The wireless device of claim 7, wherein the first SR subframe is a subframe when: the SR process is pending; no uplink shared channel resource is available for transmission; a MAC entity has at least one valid PUCCH resource for the SR; the subframe is not a part of a measurement gap; and the SR timer is not running.
 13. A wireless device comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to: receive at least one message comprising: configuration parameters of a plurality of cells comprising: a primary cell with a primary physical uplink control channel (PUCCH); and a PUCCH secondary cell with a secondary PUCCH; a first information element (IE) for the primary PUCCH, the first IE indicating an SR maximum number of transmissions; a second IE for the secondary PUCCH, the second IE indicating the SR maximum number of transmissions; and an SR prohibit timer IE for an SR timer; increment an SR counter by one; instruct a physical layer to signal an SR associated with an SR process on one valid PUCCH resource for the SR; start the SR timer configured with an expiration duration value determined based, at least, on the SR prohibit timer IE regardless of which one of the primary PUCCH and the secondary PUCCH is employed for transmission of the SR; and cancel the SR process in response to the SR maximum number of transmissions being reached in a first SR subframe.
 14. The wireless device of claim 13, wherein the SR is transmitted on the primary PUCCH or the secondary PUCCH.
 15. The wireless device of claim 13, wherein SR resources are configured on at least one of the primary PUCCH or the secondary PUCCH.
 16. The wireless device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of cells are grouped into a plurality of PUCCH groups comprising: a primary PUCCH group comprising the primary cell; and a secondary PUCCH group comprising the PUCCH secondary cell.
 17. The wireless device of claim 13, wherein: first SR resources are configured on the primary cell; and second SR resources are configured on the PUCCH secondary cell.
 18. The wireless device of claim 13, wherein the first SR subframe is a subframe when: the SR process is pending; no uplink shared channel resource is available for transmission; a MAC entity has at least one valid PUCCH resource for the SR; the subframe is not a part of a measurement gap; and the SR timer is not running.
 19. The wireless device of claim 13, wherein a MAC entity selects the one valid PUCCH resource employing at least one of the following rules: the MAC entity prioritizes the primary PUCCH to signal the SR; the MAC entity employs PUCCH resource load information; the MAC entity alternates between the primary PUCCH and the secondary PUCCH to signal the SR; and the MAC entity employs a random or pseudo random process.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one message comprises a scheduling request configuration index employed to determine whether the first SR subframe has valid resources to signal the SR. 